Kebbi violence leaves three dead, residents fleeing communities

The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed that three people were killed and a police inspector injured during violence along the Besse/Shanga riverine axis of the state following rumours of cattle rustling and an impending attack by suspected Lakurawa terrorists.

The command said the violence, which triggered the displacement of residents from affected communities in Koko-Besse Local Government Area, followed the mobilisation of local vigilantes, popularly known as Yan Sakai, and subsequent reprisals.

The police spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this to a PUNCH Metro correspondent during a telephone interview on Tuesday while reacting to a viral video showing residents fleeing their communities towards Koko town over alleged terrorist attacks.

According to him, the crisis began with rumours of alleged cattle rustling by Lakurawa terrorists and an imminent attack in the area, prompting the mobilisation of Yan Sakai across several villages.

“On 22/10/2026, heavily armed Yan Sakai stormed Samanaji Market, killed three Fulani, injured three others and injured a police inspector who was deployed with police teams to restore peace,” Usman said.

He explained that the displacement witnessed in the affected communities resulted from subsequent reprisal attacks in Karwa, Tunga Hako and Buma villages, where several Fulani settlements were reportedly burnt.

“The present displacement is an offshoot of subsequent reprisal showdowns across Karwa, Tunga Hako and Buma villages where several Fulani settlements were burnt,” the police spokesman stated.

Usman said the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, had deployed additional police personnel and joint security teams to the affected areas to prevent further violence.

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“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, has since deployed additional police and joint security teams to dominate the space and prevent further escalation, while investigation is ongoing,” he added.

The command urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information capable of worsening the security situation.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and disregard unverified narratives,” Usman said.

The police statement comes amid concerns over the safety of residents fleeing their communities following the reported violence along the Besse/Shanga riverine axis.

The command did not provide details on the number of displaced persons or the extent of the damage caused by the attacks.